The Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City

When visiting Mexico, one of the top concerns on most people’s minds is: safety.  Two of my personal favorite Mexican regions with regard to safety are the Yucatan & Oaxaca; & I’ve written extensively about both (this article specifically discusses safety in the Oaxaca region).  I traveled solo in both places, even rented a car in the Yucatan & drove all over the peninsula for a week, & had zero issues or concerns.  In this article, we’ll take a look at “The Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca,” with a focus on hotels that are in the heart of downtown & walkable to most major sites & squares.

Is Oaxaca Safe for Solo Travel? Girl Who Travels the World

I traveled solo to Oaxaca, & found it a laid-back & wonderful place for solo travel. In this article, we’ll take a look at two of the family-run, boutique hotels I stayed in, as well as some of the other great, safe hotels in downtown Oaxaca City.

Charming, colorful, & courtyards ~ that’s how I would describe Oaxaca’s hotels in just three words!

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

The Casa Carmen Morelos is hip & stylish, but a little pricier than other boutique hotels in town & a little further from the action.

The Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City

I’m breaking the safest hotels in Oaxaca into two categories: boutique hotels under $200/night (of which there are many in the city) & high-end, luxury hotels over $200/night (of which there are just a few).  As you’ll see in the photos below, hotel layouts typically involve rooms set around central courtyards, usually behind a locked-gate at night, ensuring a very safe & relaxing environment. 

***If there are stars next to the hotel name, it means that I’ve previously stayed there.

What are the Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City? Girl Who Travels the World, Casa Oaxaca

Casa Oaxaca is one of the city’s only true luxury hotels, with a high-end yet understated feel set amidst beautiful traditional Spanish architecture.

Best Family-Run, Boutique Hotels in Oaxaca City

  • **Hotel Casa Vertiz ($62+): An elegant boutique hotel located directly behind Templo de Santo Domingo, with its own quiet courtyard restaurant & a rooftop terrace overlooking the city & Templo. My room here was on the small side, & yet it had every amenity I needed & plenty of room for all my stuff.
  • **NaNa Vida Hotel ($82+): This is a wonderful, family-run boutique hotel that I stayed in when I first arrived in Oaxaca; rooms are tastefully decorated & the bathrooms are modern & roomy, all centered around a large central courtyard. Their staff is wonderful & can help you set up any kind of tour you’re looking for.
  • Hotel Parador San Miguel Oaxaca ($85+): This colorful orange building invites you into a warm & festive environment, with comfortable rooms decorated in bright textiles, organized around a lovely courtyard. Located caddy-corner from Oaxaca’s main cathedral in a near-perfect location, next to all kinds of shops & restaurants.
  • Casa Carmen Morelos ($197+): Hip & modern boutique hotel that’s a little pricier than the previous ones, & also a little further from the center of town & cathedrals (about six blocks).
  • El Callejon Hotel Boutique ($173+): If you don’t mind being slightly further from the center of town (about a 15-minute walk), this is a sexy, stylish place to stay for a romantic getaway. I’d recommend El Callejon more for couples than for solo travelers. Plus, they have a secure garage if you’re traveling with a car.
  • Casa de Sierra Azul Oaxaca ($124+): Back in the heart of town, just two blocks from the Zocalo, is the lovely Casa de Sierra Azul. Set in a 19th-century mansion, they may have my favorite courtyard of all, with its magical fountain & plenty of fauna. Rooms are modern yet traditional Oaxacan, & spa treatments are available here as well.
  • Hotel Parador de Alcala ($75+): If you’re looking for a rooftop pool in Oaxaca ~ look no further. Set in an 18th-century building with simple, modern rooms & a great breakfast & restaurant on-site. Parking here isn’t great though; street-only, as it’s so close to Templo de Santo Domingo.
    The Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World, Hotel Parador de Alcala

    The Hotel Parador de Alcala has one of the only rooftop pools in town, & a fantastic location between the Zocalo & Templo de Santo Domingo, as well as the Botanical Gardens.

Where I’ve Personally Stayed & Loved….

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

Step into Casa Vertiz’s cool courtyard & be transported away from the bustle of the city; head to their rooftop for city views.

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

Colorful art in both the rooms & central courtyard distinguish the Nana Vida from other boutique hotels in Oaxaca, as does their special & personalized parting gift…

Photos of Boutique Hotels in Oaxaca City

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

If you love COLOR & bright local textiles: stay at the Hotel Parador San Miguel Oaxaca.

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

Sexy & stylish, with a private parking garage ~ makes El Callejon ideal for couples traveling with a car.

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

My favorite courtyard in Oaxaca: at the Casa Sierra de Azul.

The Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City

Best Luxury Hotels in Oaxaca City

  • Casa Oaxaca ($338+): There are only seven rooms set in this Colonial Spanish house, & they’re beautifully yet simply decorated with traditional Oaxacan textiles.  Located two blocks from Templo de Santo Domingo, with a pool & excellent dining on-site.

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

The prettiest rooms in town: at the seven-room Casa Oaxaca.

  • Quinta Real ($215+): If you love history & historic buildings ~ check out Quinta Real. Set in a 16th-century former Dominican convent with a perfect location in the heart of town, the walls are alive with history here….& one of the most beautiful gardens in town, plus a lovely pool. 

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

If you’re looking for a building steeped in history: check into the 16th-century former Dominican Convent: now the upscale Quinta Real.

  • Casa Carmen Reforma ($209+/night): Not to be confused with Casa Carmen Morelos (same owners), this is a high-end, boutique hotel located on the north-east side of Templo de Santo Domingo, next to El Llano Park. Rooms have a trendy, Southwest-inspired vibe, & with only four rooms ~ attention to detail is high. If you’re looking for quaint & cozy, yet luxurious: this is your spot.

Safest Places to Stay in Oaxaca City, Girl Who Travels the World

Casa Carmen Reforma is the cousin to Casa Carmen Morelos: but with a better location & amazingly artful decor.

The Safest Hotels in Oaxaca City

 I hope this article has eased your mind concerning travel to Oaxaca & determining where to stay; for all first-time visitors, I highly recommend staying in hotels or Airbnb’s that are walkable to both Templo de Santo Domingo & Zocalo Oaxaca.  If you’re interested in visiting the ruins of Monte Alban, click here ~ & if the petrified waterfalls & infinity pools at Hierve del Agua are more your speed, check out this article, which gives you my best tips for visiting this utterly unique Natural Wonder.

xoxo Noelia 

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